RETAINING WALL AND

BASEMENT
CONSTRUCTION

PRESENTED BY:
● AARYAN MAHARJAN(080BAR001)
● BIBASH KATHAYAT(080BAR009)
● KHUSHI KHATUN(080BAR015)
● LAKISHA DANGOL(080BAR018)
● MAMATA BAM(080BAR022)
● MUNU SHRESTHA(080BAR024)
TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02 03
INTRODUCTION DESIGN FACTORS
PRINCIPLES AND AFFECTING
CONSIDERATION

04 05 06
TYPES OF GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
RETAINING ASPECTS AND RULES
WALLS BASEMENT
INTRODUCTION

▎ A structure that retain any material and prevents it from

sliding.
▎ Designed to resist the material pressure of the material
that is holding back.
▎ It must be able to resist the lateral pressures.
▎ Often used in hilly or sloped terrains, in landscapes, or
as part of larger civil engineering projects.
▎ Common materials used in constructing retaining walls
include: concrete, concrete blocks, stone (natural or
manufactured), brick, timber (wood), interlocking
concrete blocks, reinforced concrete, and sometimes
even stone veneer.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND
CONSIDERATION OF RETAINING
WALL Design Considerations:

Design Principles: ● Height of water table

● Nature and types of soil
Stability: ● Subsoil water movements
▎ Should be stable and ensure soil stays in place, even on ● Type of wall
sloped terrains. ● Material used in
Earth pressure: construction of wall
▎ The soil on which the wall rests mustn’t be overloaded
Drainage:
▎ Drainage Retaining walls should have proper drainage.
Others:
▎ The type of wall, materials used, on-site placement,
foundations
FACTORS AFFECTING
STRENGTH, STABILITY AND
DURABILITY OF RETAINING
WALL
Effect of Groundwater

● Sub-soil ground water reduces soil shear strength How groundwater saturation reduces effective stress and shear strength.

lowering bearing capacity of the soil.

● Solution: Subsoil drainage to manage water levels.

Effect of Inadequate Passive Earth Resistance

● Passive earth resistance at the front of the wall helps

resist sliding whereas insufficient may cause wall
instability.
● Solution: Provision of ribs under the head
Retaining wall failure

and toe to increase passive pressure.

Effect of Overturning and Tilting
.
● Uneven soil pressure, insufficient weight, and poor base width
can cause the wall to tilt or overturn, leading to instability.
● Solution: Proper base width and counterforts to provide
additional support.

Effect of Poor Drainage

● Accumulated water increases hydrostatic pressure, reducing

stability, leading wall to cracking and failure.
● Solution: Weep holes, drainage pipes, and proper backfill
materials to manage water flow.

Effect of Poor Construction Materials

● Inadequate reinforcement, low-quality materials reduce

durability and strength.
● Solution: Use of high-quality concrete, reinforcement, and
proper curing techniques.
 TYPES OF RETAINING WALL

1) Gravity Retaining Wall

● Gravity retaining wall retains soil by its own weight.
● Gravity wall is of a bigger size and build in stone
masonry.
● Typically used for low to moderate height retaining walls.
● Base Width: Usually 50%-60% of wall height
● Not suitable for very tall walls due to excessive weight.
TYPES OF RETAINING WALL

2) Cantilever Retaining Wall

● A reinforced concrete structure that uses a horizontal
base slab and a vertical stem to retain soil.
● Shear key Prevents sliding failure by increasing
resistance.
● Its height is limited between 3m-7m.
● Base width is Typically 0.5 to 0.7 times the wall height.
● Weep holes or perforated pipes prevent hydrostatic
pressure buildup.
 TYPES OF RETAINING WALL

3) Counter-fort/ Buttressed Retaining Wall

● It is a cantilever wall with counterforts, or buttresses,
attached to the inside face of the wall.
● It resist lateral thrust.
● Materials used for this retaining walls are concrete block
systems, stone, and brick.
● Counter-fort wall height ranges from 8-12m.
● Counter fort spacing is equal or slightly larger than half of
the counter-fort height
TYPES OF RETAINING WALL
4) Crib Retaining Wall
● It is a form of gravity wall.
● The have boxes/cells built using precast concrete
framing.
● The cells are filled of stones or other granular
materials for structural stability.
● It is suited to support planter areas, not
recommended for slope structure.
TYPES OF RETAINING WALL
5) Gabion Retaining Wall
● It is a retaining wall made of stacked stone-filled
gabions tied together with wire.
● It is also used to stabilize steep slopes.
● It is used to construct a wall to prevent erosion.
GENERAL ASPECTS
1. Retaining Walls for Slope Houses:
● Required to create a level surface for buildings on slopes.
● Concrete is commonly used for retaining walls

2. Passageway for Drainage and Cleaning:

● A minimum of 60 cm (2feet) is recommended.

3. Safety Guidelines for Retaining Walls:

● The height of the retaining wall should be limited to 2.5 meters (8' - 4").
● The house should be placed on firm, original soil to ensure stability.
● Backfill behind retaining walls will not be as solid as untouched soil.

4. Distance Between House and Retaining Wall:

● The distance between the house's front and the lower retaining wall should be at
least as wide as the height of the lower retaining wall (H = H).
BASEMENT
● A basement is a storey below ground level, serving
as a space or floor.
● Basement walls act as retaining walls to resist soil
and groundwater pressure and transfer loads to
foundations.

FUNCTIONS

● Basement Retaining Wall: Resists lateral thrust

from earth, sub-soil water pressure, and supports
vertical loads.
● Strength, Stability and Durability
● Resists Overturning and Horizontal Sliding
● Prevents overstress in material and soil beneath the
wall
 CONSTRUCTION RULES

1. Height and Width: A stone retaining wall built without an engineer's

supervision should not exceed 2.5 meters (8’4”) in height. The top width
must be at least 60 cm (2 feet) for stability.

2. Foundation Width and Slope: The foundation width should be half of

the free-standing height of the wall and the foundation base must be
inclined toward the slope to enhance stability.

3. Foundation Depth: The required depth of the foundation depends on

soil type and climate. In regions where the soil freezes, the foundation must
be placed below the frost depth.
CONSTRUCTION RULES

4. Layer Alignment: Each stone layer must be set at a right angle to the
front face of the wall. This prevents displacement due to soil pressure.

5. Reinforcement: For additional strength, reinforced concrete bands

can be integrated into the wall structure.

6. Drainage: Proper drainage is critical to prevent water buildup. Install

drain pipes at every 1.5 meters (5 feet) along the lower section of the
wall and at mid-height if the wall reaches 2.5 meters (8’4”).
 CONCLUSION
Retaining walls and basements are essential for
stability, erosion control, and space optimization.
Their durability depends on proper design,
material selection, and drainage systems,
considering factors like soil pressure, load
distribution, and climate conditions. Different
types, such as gravity, cantilever, and anchored
walls, serve various structural needs.

By integrating engineering principles and

sustainable practices, we can ensure safe,
long-lasting, and efficient structures that enhance
both functionality and resilience.
REFERENCES
https://www.grafiati.com/en/literature-selections/retaining-walls-design-and-construction/
https://www.tensar.co.uk/getmedia/ad9656e2-7251-4c60-a2ae-1a27a3e01929/cantilver%20w
all.jpg
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/367652371/Introduction-to-Retaining-Wall
https://www.tensar.co.uk/resources/articles/types-of-retaining-wall
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/arious-types-of-retaining-wall_fig1_323759877
https://structuralengblog.home.blog/retaining-wallqs/
https://www.brainkart.com/article/Design-Of-Retaining-Walls_3751/
THANK YOU!